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Consumers Unaware Which Ones Offer Proper Protection

Washington, D.C.-There are many different types of sunscreens that are offered in the marketplace, but many of them do not do a very good job at protecting against the sun.

While many offer little or no protection, what protection they do offer is better than no protection, as any protection helps prevent the possibility of skin cancer.

The consumer non-profit group Environmental Working Group estimates that about 85 percent of sunscreens on the market do not protect against the sun, or they do but they have ingredients that make them unsafe to use.

The testing and consumer group further adds that the situation would improve if the Food and Drug administration had minimum standards for performance and labeling of sunscreens.

Currently there are no minimum standards and the manufacturers have open season at the marketplace with the claims they make about their own products.

“There are simply many different things commonly on labels that do not talk about safety, protection or quality,” said Sonya Lunder.

Sonya Lunder is the senior analyst at Environmental Working Group and senior manager of the sunscreen project.

While many of the sunscreens on the market are inferior or do not offer protection, the Environmental Working Group does recommend a list products that are good for consumers to use.